Timor-Leste to join ASEAN shortly

*Diario Nacional December 3, 2012 language source: Tetun

State Secretary for ASEAN Affairs, Roberto Soares said Timor-Leste would become a new member of ASEAN; therefore Timor-Leste would focus on preparing all the state institutions in the country before joining ASEAN.

"We are ready to join ASEAN and I will not publicize the time to join ASEAN but I guarantee that Timor-Leste will join ASEAN," he said.

Soares said Singapore had agreed Timor-Leste to join ASEAN; therefore the Government would make efforts to make changes to all sectors in the country before joining ASEAN.

"Singapore wants Timor-Leste should be prepared optimally, therefore we should be optimistic that, Timor-Leste will join ASEAN," Soares said.

He added in short time Secretary General of ASEAN will visit the country to look closer at the countries' preparation and policy commitment to join ASEAN.

Translated by:
francisco@tlmdc.org; alberico@tlmdc.org